NATIONAL CATHOLIC YOUTH CONFERENCE
The group from the Diocese of Honolulu at this year’s National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis included high school students, young adults and chaperones. (Courtesy of Lisa Gomes)
By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Twelve high school students from the Diocese of Honolulu traveled across the country last month to join 12,000 other young Catholics at this year’s National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The youth filled Lucas Oil Stadium Nov. 16-18, their enthusiasm fulfilling this year’s theme, “Fully Alive,” inspired by Genesis 1:23-27 and John 10:10.
“Over the course of the weekend, participants explored the meaning of being created in the image of God,” said Lisa Gomes, director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Diocese of Honolulu.
In the prayer service that kicked off the conference, Indianapolis Archbishop Charles C. Thompson quoted Pope Francis’ encyclical, “Laudato Si’”: “Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.”
“We heard that beautiful reading about creation from the Book of Genesis,” Archbishop Thompson said. “But the ultimate part of that creation is when God created humanity, when God created us. We are part of that creation that’s been given life by the Spirit breathing into us, by the Word taking root in us, claiming us as his own.”
In addition to the 12 teens, those from Hawaii included Gomes, four young adults and seven adult chaperones from Maui and Oahu.
“I felt that it was very inspiring and life changing,” said Landon Tantisira, a high school sophomore who attends Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Kula, Maui. “I also enjoyed meeting with other participants from different parts of the U.S. and exchanging things from our parish, which was fun.”
“The best part was the impact this weekend had on our island youth. They got to witness youth from across the country express their faith with no boundaries,” said Mary Jean Bega, youth minister at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church.
Gomes agreed.
“Events like NCYC allow our young people to experience the larger church. What’s unique about NCYC is that the conference is designed specifically for teenagers,” she said.
Most of the students from Hawaii who attended NCYC are alumni of the diocese’s Christian Leadership Institute, a weeklong program that gives young people the opportunity to develop skills for leadership and Christian ministry.
“It brought me great joy to see our young people up on stage, in front of thousands of their peers, representing Hawaii,” said Gomes.
Twelve high school students from the Diocese of Honolulu at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis Nov. 16-18. (Courtesy of Lisa Gomes)
NCYC featured popular keynote speakers like Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth Josephine Garrett, a former banker and former Baptist, and Catholic singer and songwriter Steve Angrisano. The students also experienced a concert from Grammy award-winning Christian duo, For King & Country.
There were breakout sessions, confession, private and communal prayer, and a number of hands-on activities.
“One of the speakers who stood out for me was Ali Hoffman,” said Kimberly Barit, a high school sophomore from Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Wahiawa. “She spoke about her prayer life and how she had her own little prayer corner which made me want to have one as well.”
Some of the Hawaii students were shocked at some of the experiences their brothers and sisters in Christ were facing across the country.
“As a youth ambassador, I was assigned to a breakout session on racism,” said Precious Algoso, an eighth grader who attends Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. “The presenter, Rudy, asked us to breakup into small groups for one part of the presentation where I was able to hear stories from youth my own age who experience bullying and racism every day.”
“Living in Hawaii, I’ve never experienced this myself, so this session was a wake-up call for me,” she said.
Gomes said that the turning point for many participants was Adoration of the Holy Eucharist.
“It’s always inspiring for me to see thousands of young people on their knees, in complete silence, adoring our Lord. It was a truly beautiful holy hour,” she said.
“During adoration, they saw youth being drawn to the Eucharist, kneeling in front of the monstrance on hard cement floors,” said Bega. “They saw long lines of peers waiting for confession and an overall joy of being in an environment surrounded by people who share the same love for God. Every youth deserves to experience NCYC.”
On Nov. 18, in his 35-minute homily, auxiliary Bishop Joseph A. Espaillat of New York called out to the youth to have “joy over fear.”
“Faith is critical because it leads us to joy. And joy overcomes worldly fear because it leads us outside of ourselves,” Bishop Espaillat said.
Gomes said that the bishop “shared that ‘the fear of the Lord is a source of peace and happiness.’ He is our joy; this is our faith. When we are full of faith, we are fully alive. To be fully alive is to be like Christ.”
Tantisira said that he felt that this experience had given him “the opportunity to learn a lot and to use this knowledge to help serve and inspire other people in our parish and community.”
Parents who attended said it was as much as an incredible experience for them as it was for the students.
“NCYC was important for me to have my daughter attend because I believe it is so encouraging to see that we are not alone in our faith,” said Steffanie Beissel from St. John Vianney Church in Kailua.
“To worship, praise and celebrate Mass with a community of believers — especially 12,000-plus other Catholic youth — was such an uplifting and inspiring opportunity,” she said.
For some island students, NCYC was an experience they will never forget.
“I really didn’t know what to expect from the whole event. But after the first day, I knew that attending NCYC was a great decision,” said Reece Kawai, a senior who attends Our Lady Queen of Angels Church. “I had learned a lot regarding our faith and how there were so many people in our age group who shared the same belief as us. If I could ever have the chance to attend again, I would do so without a doubt.”
Gomes said that she hopes “the takeaway for our young people who participated is that they are created in the image and likeness of God and are called to be light to those in darkness.”
“There’s so much darkness in our world these days,” she said. “My prayer is that these young people can bring that light and life they experienced at NCYC back here to their homes, schools, parishes and communities. That they will be fully alive!”
Karen Lung, a parent and youth minister from Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, praised the experience.
“Our youth really bonded with each other. It was so good for them to see how big our faith is and how good it is and how on fire people were, them included. I want them to experience it year after year,”
Next year’s National Catholic Youth Conference will be in Long Beach, California, Nov. 14-16. Anyone interested can sign up for more information at https://forms.gle/Z6AP6y1X2JqfFbgj8.
To learn more about the Christian Leadership Institute, go to www.catholichawaii.org/diocesan-offices/office-of-youth-young-adult-ministry/youth-ministry/christian-leadership-institute-hawaii-cli-hi/
